Skirt-measuring device.



E. J. BENNET.

SKIRT MEASUBING DEVICE.

APPLIOATION 111.111) JUNI: a. 1911.

Patented Sept. 19,1911.

,en/lle? H COLUMBI PLANOOIIAPM B-.WASIIINUTON U C UNITED STATES `PATENT OFFICE.

ELLA J'. BENNET, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO CLARENCE A. ALLSHOUSE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

'sKIRT-MEASURING DEVICE.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 19, 1911.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ELLA J. BnNNn'r, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Skirt-Measuring Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in skirts measurin devices.

One of the o jects of my invention is to provide a means for conveniently marking a skirt, at intervals or continuously, aroun the upper portion thereof, at a uniform height from the floor line, to thereby establish a parallel datum line from which the desired length of the skirt may be subsequently determined.

My instrument is especially designed, and is particularly well adapted, for use by the person upon whom the skirt is being fitted.

By the practice of my invention the maker of the skirt may fit it upon herself, without the necessity of calling to her aid other persons and while it may be most advantageously used, in this manner, and is especially valuable for this reason, nevertheless it is equally well adapted for use by dress makers, fitters and tailors in fitting skirts upon other persons.

It possesses the qualities of being simple in structure; easily to be understood and manipulated and cheap of manufacture.

Other and further objects of the invention will readily occur to persons skilled in the art from a. consideration of the description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein;

Figure 1 is a perspective view, of a skirt measuring device, embodying the features of my invention, and illustrating the manner of its use. Fig. 2 is an enlarged, upper portion, of a vertical standard, or gage.

ig. 3 is the central portion of the same. Fig. 4 is the main base portion of said standard. Fig. 5 is a clamp and guide and support for the flexible band. Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

In all the views the same reference character indicates similar parts.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention the adjustable, vertical, standard 10 is preferably composed of two telescoping tubes 11 and 12, the former capable of moving freely in the latter and being secured, in adjusted position, by the set screw, 13, which passes through a collar, 14, secured to the upper end of the lower tube 12.

If desired the upper tube 11 may be divided longitudinally by lines into spaces equal to the length of one inch and fractions thereof and the said spaces may be numbered consecutively, as shown, as a convenient means for readily ascertaining the height from the floor at which the datum line is to be established. The division into inches, however, while it may be convenient, is not essential to the operation of the device.

A sliding collar 15 is adapted to be freely moved longitudinally, of the tube 11, and is secured in adjusted position by means of the screw 16. To this collar 15 secured to, or, an integral part thereof is a flat portion 17 containing a groove which is covered by the plate 18 to form a slot for the flexible band or ribbon 20, the plate 18 being secured on the part 17 by means of the screws 19. On one end of the ribbon 20 is an enlargement 21 which prevents the ribbon from slipping entirely through the slot thus provided. The clamping screw, 22, passes through the plate 18, and is the means for holding the ribbon within the slot at any adjusted position. To the lower tube 12 is secured, by screw threaded engagement, a flat, laterally extending base portion 23.

The clamp 24 is adapted to be secured to a door, or any other vertically stationary fixture, and comprises the arms 25, and 26, in the latter of which the attaching screw 27 has screw threaded engagement. An eXtension 28, is provided with a flat portion 29 containing a groove wide enough for the single band of ribbon 20, and providing a flat slot in connection with the plate 30, which is secured thereto, by the screws 31. The band 2O may be freely slid within the slot thus provided, but is subject therein to very slight vertical displacement.

The use and operation of my device is as follows: The standard 10 is placed, preferably, in front of the wearer, of the skirt to be measured, and the wearer places her feet upon the base portion 23 to hold the stand ard in vertical position. A smooth .portion of the skirt is now selected, below the curve at the hips, and the collar 15 is moved vertically on the rod 11 until it has been brought to the desired height. Then the clamp 24 is loosely attached to a door and the standard 10 is then moved to a position near the clamp 24, and the clamp 24, is adjusted vertically,

on the door, until the slot therein is in the same horizontal plane asthe slot in the collar 15, then, the clamp 24, is secured in this position, by means of the screw 27. Now, the wearer of the skirt, moves the standard 10, to a convenient distance, from the edge of the door, and places the ribbon 20, in the slot formed between the part 17 and 18 ofthe sliding collar 15v and draws the end of the ribbonthrough the slot until the enlargementy 2l is brought somewhere near the positionshown in Fig. 6. Now the free end ofthe ribbon is passed through the slot, of the clamp 24, and is brought around on the opposite side of the manipulator, and again passed through the slot in the collar 15 and drawn up untill the ribbon makes ac tual contactwith the skirt, onall sides. The screw 22, is then turned for theJ purpose of tightening the ribbon, in the Xture lfor holding it in place. The user retainsthe standard 10 firmly in vertical position by means of the engagement of her feet with the base part, 23.1 Now` the band is around the user in aposition parallel with the `loor line and the upper or lower edge of the ribbon band may be used as a guide, for marking the skirt, by means of chalk, or indications may be placed therein by the wearer of the skirt by means of pins, so that after the instrumenthas been thus used a datum line is made around the skirtfrom which measurements can be made to the `floor or to any point at which it is desirable that the hein may be turned for determining the ultimate lengt-h of the skirt.

VVhatI claim is:

1. In a device of the character described the combination of a vertical standard, a clamp slidably adjustable thereon, and having a slot for reception of a ieXible band, means for clamping said band, in said slot, a clamp adapted for attachmentk to a door, or other like vertically stationary support, having a similar slot for said band and a flexible band adapted to pass through said slot and closely encircle theuser, to provide a gage, for establishing a datum line on v.a garment.

2. 1n a device of the character described, the'combinationof a two part vertical longitudinally extendible, standard, provided on its base section with a flat transverse plate whereby to support said standard-by application of the users feet, a'slidable, vertically adjustedclamp, on the upper section, provided with a slot for a eXible band, a clamp for attachment to a door, or other like vertically stationary support, having a slot for said band and a band adapted to pass through said slots, and band-securingmeans associated with the standard clamp.

In testimony whereof l hereunto set my hand in the presence of twok witnesses. l

ELLA J. BENNET.

In the presence of- MARY F. ALLEN, W. LINN ALLEN.

Copies of -this patent may' beobtaned fo'r ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0; 

